in the kitchen
was examined and pronounced comfortable.

"At least as comfortable as one would wish, homesteading for one night,"
said Priscilla.

Lots were drawn for beds and companions. Vivian and Virginia, it was thus
decided, should sleep in the living-room, and Priscilla and Mary in the
kitchen.

"Of course, we could move the kitchen cot into the living-room," said
Virginia, "but it really isn't worth the trouble where the door is so
small. Besides, you girls don't feel the least bit frightened about
sleeping out there, anyway."

Mary looked at Priscilla and Priscilla looked at Mary. Not for veritable
worlds would they have confided to Virginia the joy which would fill their
hearts if that refractory kitchen cot could be moved into the living-room;
not for untold riches would they have confessed the sinking feeling which
attacked them upon the thought of sleeping in the kitchen nearest that
unlocked door. A bear might push open that door, or a mountain lion roar
outside their window--they would be game to the end!

"Now," announced Virginia, quite unconscious of the sensations which were
agitating her friends, "I think we'd best begin to get supper. It may take
some time. Mary, I see there's a cook book in the kitchen. If you've made
biscuits only once, it might be well for you to study up a little. Vivian
can set the table, and get some lettuce from the garden. I'll rustle the
wood for the fire, and get the potatoes ready. Hannah told me to bake them
about an hour. Priscilla, why don't you take one of Jean's rods and follow
up the creek? There are some quaking-asps in a shady place up a little
way, and it wouldn't surprise me at all if you got a trout there. Use some
of those little dark flies--they're good this kind of a day. Come to think
of it, Jean has some already on. You might add a grasshopper or two.
There'll be plenty of them hopping around. Pinch their noses and they'll
keep still."

Priscilla, armed with Virginia's directions, and a total lack of
experience, took the rod and went her way. Never in her life had she
caught a fish, but the zest of a possible catch seized her. If she could
only get one, it would be something more to tell Alden, and might elicit
praise as high as the bear-trapping experience had done. She saw the
quaking-asps some rods above the cabin, crawled under the wire fence, and
went toward them. Something hopped out of her way. A grasshopper! She
jumped, but missed him! Person